"Sen. Rand Paul proposed Thursday using tax breaks instead of government spending to boost economically depressed areas like Appalachia. During a brief stop to a packed room at Frank’s Place, in downtown Paintsville, said his plan makes more sense than the current system, because it rewards those who have already demonstrated their ability to create economic growth."

"Deep in the hills of Appalachia, there's a mournful, beautiful style of church music that hasn't changed since the 18th century. The hymns of the Old Regular Baptist Church are sung in the so-called 'lined-out' style brought to America by British colonists. It can be heard in the town of Sassafras, Ky., hidden in a hollow between mountainsides covered with sugar maple and yellow buckeye and shot through with veins of bituminous coal."

"Woolly worms are wiggling their way across East Tennessee and this autumn the caterpillars are back with plenty of black. If you are a believer in old folklore, the black bands indicate several weeks of harsh winter weather."

"'Carl just wanted some directions, but the mountain people aren’t like DirecTV. They don’t just do what he wants when he wants. Too bad for Carl.' No, too bad for DirecTV and its offensive and degrading stereotyping of Appalachia. If you have not seen the ad, it’s not really worth your time because you will never get those 30 seconds back. It’s mindless drivel."

"A nationally-aired commercial is upsetting many in Eastern Kentucky. DirecTV's 'Mountain People' commercial features a man trying to leave a house that references 'mountain people,' and 'crazy hillbillies.' 'It was in bad taste it was very offensive to all of Appalachia or all mountain places,' said Harlan Tourism Commission Director Brandon Pennington. Many community members feel the same way."

"Eastern Kentucky’s coalfields are struggling…last year, coal production dropped to the lowest level since 1965, as utilities shift toward natural gas. Now, in the wake of news of mass layoffs in Eastern Kentucky’s coalfields, two of the nation’s larger utility companies are essentially pulling out of the region."

An abandoned coal tipple between Norton and Coeburn in southwestern Virginia.

The Weekly Links is intended to bring awareness of news stories related to the Appalachian region. An article's inclusion in this list does notimply agreement with or approval of all things written within.